York Guildhall, York

York Guildhall, York

York Guildhall is a municipal building located behind York's Mansion House. It is a Grade I listed historical building. The building was constructed as a meeting place for the City's guilds between 1449 and 1459.

Richard III was entertained in the building in 1483 and the guildhall was the venue for the trial of Margaret Clitherow, a catholic martyr, in 1586. it was also the place where a ransom of £200,000 was counted before being given to the Scots in payment for the release of Charles I in 1647 during the English Civil War. Prince Albert, the Prince Consort to Queen Victoria was a guest of honor at a Royal banquet in the building in October 1850. At the north end of the guildhall was a stained glass window painted by Henry Gyles in about 1682.

In 1811 a building, designed by Peter Atkinson the younger as a council chamber, was erected to the south of the original hall (this is now known as "the Atkinson Room"). Then in 1891, another building, designed by Enoch Mawbey, the city surveyor, accommodating a larger council chamber, was built to the north of the original hall (this building is now known as "the Municipal Offices"). The new council chamber was decorated by Kendal, Milne and Co in the 1890s.

Because of damage sustained during an air raid in 1942, the present Guildhall is a rebuilt version of the 15th century building, opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1960. The original stone walls, however, remain intact, as well as the Inner Room and its paneled walls, masons' marks, two hidden stairways and decorated ceiling.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in York. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

York Guildhall on Map

Sight Name: York Guildhall
Sight Location: York, England (See walking tours in York)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in York, England

Create Your Own Walk in York

Create Your Own Walk in York

Creating your own self-guided walk in York is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
York Introduction Walking Tour

York Introduction Walking Tour

Established by the ancient Romans in 71 AD, the city of York breathes history. It first appeared as a walled settlement when the Ninth Legion of Rome conquered the local tribe known as the Brigantes. The town became the capital of the Roman province of Britannia Inferior, and later of the kingdoms of Deira, Northumbria and Jórvík, emerging as a major river port and part of the extensive trading...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
York's Historical Pubs Tour

York's Historical Pubs Tour

Yorkshire is a haven for real ale enthusiasts and York does live up to this reputation. Many of local pubs are as old as churches, having served their clients for centuries.

There's a plethora of historic pubs in the heart of York, offering an array of quality cask ales alongside a menu of hearty British food, served in a cozy, traditional atmosphere. Low ceilings, wonky floors and open...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
York City Wall Tour

York City Wall Tour

Known variously as the York City Walls, Bar Walls, or the Roman Walls (although very little of the extant stonework has remained since Roman times) are the historic monument encircling the Old Town of York.

The surviving portion of the town wall – 3.4km (2 miles) – is longer than anywhere else in England. Built mostly in the 13th century (of magnesian limestone, and set upon earthen...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
York's Old Town

York's Old Town

A vibrant city with Roman roots and a Viking past, York has played a central role throughout much of England‘s history. Despite its small size, Old Town York boasts a wealth of colorful heritage that draws tourists in droves from all over the world.

The maze of historic streets – too narrow for vehicles, and therefore solely pedestrian – are packed with attractions fairly close to one...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
York's Historical Architecture

York's Historical Architecture

Being home to some of the best preserved historic architecture in England, York screams history and is undoubtedly the must-go destination for anyone keen on the country’s past. While the more recent history has also characterized York, it is the abundance of the ancient sites retained in their variety – from Medieval times to the Georgian and Victorian eras, and more – that makes the city...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles